Sometimes Things Need a Change... Table Transformation for the Second Time

Sometimes now matter how much you fight it things need to change. For me that was the case with this antigue 1950's end table.  Many people have a hard time admitting when things need to change or do not sell because of it's look. Therefore, I decided to share my story with you, because after all I can't the only one facing this dilemma.

I originally picked up this table at an estate sale in New Jersey.  After refurbishing it, it quickly became a popular item. It was a big favorite in my Etsy Store/Refurbished with Love and a favorite at all my festivals. But for some reason it was not SELLING! After all that is my goal, to refurbish furniture and sell the pieces to new happy home.

Here is what the table looked like when I bought it. It was in need of a furniture facelift and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Or at least so I thought I did.

end table before

Here is the table after my first attempt refurbishing it.

end table after the first attempt of refurbishing

I wanted to give it an antique look keeping with the design of the table and wanted to add a pull to the draw.

close up on the table top

Well after a year of siting in my home, I decided it was time for a change! I was very reluctant to change it because, one, I worked hard on it the first time and two because that would require more time in my already busy schedule. But lets face it, it wasn't selling and even though I was being stubborn I knew what I needed to do.

I decided to paint it my favorite color Annie Sloan Paris Grey. I also envisioned adding an old French wine typography to the top and finally finishing the whole thing with dark wax. It took me a while to decide on a label, mainly because Graphics Fairy has so many great ones to chose from. In the end I chose this one:

You can find a link to her stuff here, she also has some good tutorials for first timers. Once I got two coats of paint on the table, I added the typography.

transferring the image

table paint in paris grey 

After I transferred the image I loved it even more! I instantly knew this baby would sell!

table after with dark wax and french label added

close up on table top

Thankfully as I suspected this table was a huge hit and sold with an hour of opening. Two woman were actually trying to take it from each other! Needless to say it went to a happy home and I was happy it sold.

So moral of the story... change is good!

A Dull Buffet Table Transformed into an Eye Catching Table

This beautiful table was a major score for my client. She inherited the table when she moved into her college apartment. The old renters didn't want it and left it behind. Talk about one man's trash is another woman's treasure!

Like most of us who live in small spaces all furniture most be functional as well as beautiful. For my client this table was absolutely functional, but it did not fit her decor.  Here was the table before.

table before

The table had some watermarks and scratches I needed to remove. That's when she contacted me. Together we decided on this beautiful Greek blue from Annie Sloan with dark wax. One thing I love about Annie Sloan paint is by adding dark wax you can completely change the color. 

table after

table leaf after

table top

Here is the table painted with Greek blue before the dark wax.

table before dark wax is added

She also admired furniture with lace and doily detail. I found this beautiful lace and stenciled it randomly on the top.

here is how i put the stencil on

after all stencils added

table before dark wax

For the lace stencil I used Martha Stewart's silver metallic paint. I love how it has a simmer to it. I have used this paint before on a barstool and it is beautiful with or with dark wax.